Without a doubt, the hardest thing to do in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is to start.  Sure, rolling for the first time can be intimidating and so can competing, but nothing is as nerve-wracking and terrifying as walking into a BJJ school for the...

The formula is simpler than you think. When we opened our BJJ academy, our very first slogan was “Show up. Train. Get Better”. We printed it on t-shirts, hoodies, and rash guards. We proudly wore them around the academy and in public, constantly...

How long did it take you to finally try BJJ?  We all have different stories.  For most of us, walking into a BJJ Academy for the first time to inquire about classes or even try our first class can be one of the...

Who is the true face of BJJ? Who do we think of when we think of the “face” of Jiu-Jitsu? Helio Gracie? Xande Ribeiro? Gordan Ryan? Keenan Cornelius? Tom DeBlass or Bernardo Faria? Some other guy or gal that we all see as...

What are you giving back to BJJ and Your Instructor If you happen to frequent a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy with numerous higher ranked students, you will begin to quickly notice a supportive hierarchy of people who are not only students, but teach...

Changing BJJ Academies Can Be Stressful Time Joining a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy is a daunting experience that new and ranked practitioners succumb to at least once in their grappling career. The new student not only has to dive into a martial art...

As instructors and owners of a BJJ academy, our first priority should be the atmosphere and culture at the school. It should be a goal to establish an environment where students from all walks of life can thrive and enjoy their training. Everyone...

As BJJ instructors we will come in contact with hundreds, maybe thousands of people throughout our time as school owners and teachers. Of course, we will always prefer that everyone that comes through the door falls in love with our academy and thrives...

When you have aspirations of opening your own academy, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Doing things your way, being able to train around the clock, the sense of pride you’ll feel from bringing the benefits of BJJ into the lives...

The longer you train BJJ and the more techniques, positions, and styles you are exposed to, you will notice an interesting phenomenon.  And if you aren't noticing it, step back and take a look.  Your first few months will be a blur of...

We start training BJJ for a wide variety of reasons. Maybe we want to get into better shape, lose weight, and improve our health overall.  Perhaps we are looking to learn some self defense concepts and techniques, increasing our overall confidence.  Whatever the...

When it comes to training or competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, there are few cardinal sins worse than having your guard pass.  Your guard, or legs and hips is your first line of defense and if you're able to keep the enemy at...

Bernardo Faria is one of the most decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes in history.  Having won the World Championships an amazing 5 times, he is considered one of the most important super-heavyweight competitors in history and certainly one of the best of his...

If you aren't training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu yet, first off, what are you waiting for?  Do a little bit of research and reach out to local gyms or academies in your area and try your first class.  Don't be afraid to reach out...

BJJ Fanatics recently asked Tom DeBlass what he thought were the three most important qualities that a jiu jitsu practitioner should strive for or embody in their training.  Without missing a beat, Tom said that they were "relentlessness, a positive attitude and gratitude...